Here's Al Giordano's translation of Kerry's statement on Venezuela.
| Kerry says | Kerry means |
| The coming days will be critical for the future of democracy in Venezuela. | …to a small group of Republican spoiled brats in Florida who my advisors insist are "swing voters." |
| President Chavez and all Venezuelans must understand that the international community will be watching closely to ensure that the signature validation process proceeds openly and impartially. | You really promise they will love me in Florida if I read this aloud, Rand? |
| Yet after being democratically elected and promising reform, President Chavez has treated opponents as enemies rather than seeking to heal the divisions that have plagued Venezuela. | If that idea catches on with Democrats they'll start saying we should have done that in 2000. |
| He has undermined the constitution… | Obviously, I haven't read it. |
| …and used his Bolivarian Circles to repress peaceful dissent | Whereas my MeetUp groups are filled with lazy fucks. |
| …his government systematically moved to expand its powers. | Unfair! My running-mate Dick Gephardt owns the copyright! |
| Particularly concerning are recent reports of numerous human rights violations. | I feel their dolor. Mine are violated the same exact way every time my maids stop smiling at me. |
| The disturbing trend towards establishment of an authoritarian regime must be reversed now… | Hey Shrum, wasn't that line supposed to go into the speech about Ashcroft? |
| Given the need to verify hundreds of thousands of signatures, more time should be granted if necessary to allow this process to be completed in an orderly manner. | Yes, I know, I know, sigh, the Venezuelan oligarchs won't be able to fix enough signatures in three days: most of their backers are already in Florida. |
| To date, the Bush administration has regrettably chosen not to play a true leadership role… | How come there's nothing in this speech about Vietnam, Mary Beth? D'oh! Oh. Right. Never mind. |
| Indeed, their tacit support for the ill-conceived April 2002 military coup against Chavez has undermined their ability to play that role. | That was supposed to be my Bay of Pigs, not his, the greedy bastard. |
| With our credibility… | Which I further damage today… |
| and the hopes of so many at stake… | If they don't get their referendum, they'll all move to Florida by 2008. |
| I call on the Administration and our allies in the region to stand strong for the democratic process in Venezuela. | There is a democratic process in Venezuela? Holy shit! Wait, Randy, tell me again why I'm making this statement? |
Read Comments: Kerry's Foreign Policy Hijackers, including:
I strongly disagree with the notion but forth by several otherwise informative posts on the NarcoSphere that Kerry's statement on Chavez was an unfortunate but necessary political tactic. You are either in favor of democracy or against it, and John Kerry has clearly indicated that he is an opponent of democratic institutions.
He could, for instance, have taken issue of Chavez's friendship with Castro if he wanted to placate Cubans in Miami, as well as criticizing statements by Chavez on foreign policy issues. A more harmless expedient type would go to Miami, talk about the economy and then his own Catholic beliefs, and lament the ban on Catholicism in Cuba. What per cent of Miami's Cubans and Venezuelans would not be cowed by that? Kerry, as expedient, spineless folks go, is not of the harmless variety.
He is entitled to his opinion of any democratically elected leader, but to repeat the double speak that Chavez is an enemy of democracy is to truly be an enemy of democracy. This simply cannot be dismissed as a tactical maneuver from which no broader conclusions can be made about a Kerry presidency.
He could, for instance, have taken issue of Chavez's friendship with Castro if he wanted to placate Cubans in Miami, as well as criticizing statements by Chavez on foreign policy issues. A more harmless expedient type would go to Miami, talk about the economy and then his own Catholic beliefs, and lament the ban on Catholicism in Cuba. What per cent of Miami's Cubans and Venezuelans would not be cowed by that? Kerry, as expedient, spineless folks go, is not of the harmless variety.
He is entitled to his opinion of any democratically elected leader, but to repeat the double speak that Chavez is an enemy of democracy is to truly be an enemy of democracy. This simply cannot be dismissed as a tactical maneuver from which no broader conclusions can be made about a Kerry presidency.
An excellent comment to which there is more. Have a look. Major good points made there about Kerry and democracy.
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